Tuesday, March 23, 2010

More movie tour... and the movie is out!

Hi everyone-

Here's a report of the second leg of the media tour, leading up to the grand finale.

March 13th: Robert Capron's family and mine joined forces and invited some family and friends to a special screening of the movie in New England. We had a great time, and it was great to see Robert get the praise he deserves for his portrayal of Rowley.

March 14th: Another special screening, this time for my family and friends in Virginia, near the area where I grew up. This was a special event for me, because my brother, Scott, has a song in the movie, and it was a lot of fun to be there for his song's big debut.

March 15th: Back on the road for the last week of our media tour! We started off the week in New York, where we did a "press junket." For the press junket, we sat down in front of the t.v. cameras and took interview after interview. Every five minutes or so, a new interviewer would walk in the room, sit down, and start asking questions. This went on for about six hours. It was fun, but exhausting. I don't know how movie stars do it! Zach and Robert handled their interviews like pros.

March 16th: We started our day bright and early on the Today Show. It was a blast. Al Roker immediately asked Zach about a scene in the movie where he pees on Rodrick. It was hysterical. After that, we did a few more t.v. and radio interviews. We were horsing around a lot when the cameras were on and got a talking-to from Zach's mom about "professionalism." We ended our night at a New York Rangers hockey game.

March 17th: We traveled to Stamford, Connecticut, to officially launch the Wimpy Kid Movie Diary, the book I wrote about the movie-making process. Thor Freudenthal, the talented director of the movie, came out to join us on stage and to sign posters afterwards.

March 18th: Just one day until the movie's release! We spent Thursday at Riverside Elementary in Fairfax, Viriginia. Riverside Elementary won the School Library Journal's contest and got to have a special premiere of the movie in their gym. It was a very cool Hollywood-type event, with a red carpet and everything. The school's safety patrols handled security, which I thought was genius.

March 19th: The end of the road. We all headed back home. I rode back on the plane and sat next to Robert. I knew it was the last day Zach and Robert would be anonymous. After the movie came out, they'd be stars. It was great sharing this experience with them. I'll never forget it!

March 20th: Success! The movie did really well at the box office over the weekend. Everyone is hoping this means we'll get to make a sequel. Thanks, everyone, for coming out to see the movie!

46 comments:

Awesome. I loved the movie, not only because it was based on my favorite book series, but that it was true to it, and Zachary Gordon did a great job playing Greg, in my opinion. I hope they make a 2nd movie: Rodrick Rules!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! You must hear daily how happy parents are to have your books! My children and I have always read together, but now my 8 and 10 year old children are reading by themselves. They just LOVE your books. Chapter books in journal form with sketches on each page! Genius!!! Pure genius! It's just the thing for reluctant readers! My kids cannot put them down! And they are constantly giggling as they read!!

The movie was great! I really liked the girl behind the bleachers that was added. And Kinney, you might remember me, I'm the little girl who came down from Alaska to the Washington book signing, and the one who's mom tried to get you to come up here by contacting your publicist? :) Maybe you do, just thought I'd tell you the movie was awesome, I hope you make a second!

Great Movie! Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a great Hit! It is one of my Favorite books...i love because it's like a comics, Zachary did a good job! Also the other cast. Please do not stop making movies and books about diary of a wimpy kid. Im always reading it! I watched the movie 3 times. Please make a second movie: Rodrick Rules! and third movie: The Last Straw and fourth movie: Dog Days. I can say that the kids in middle school can really relate to it! Your the best Jeff Kiney~

I'm a 31 year old HUGE fan of the books and I absolutley LOVED the movie!!

It reminds of a more bitter, funnier, and cynical version of "The Adventures of Pete and Pete".(a long lost 1990's teen comedy)

But seriously, that was very well crafted and very funny! Great script! It was also great fun to see the wimpy kid cartoon style come to life! I was expecting a train wreck, but was floored on how well done the movie as a whole was!!

I died laughing when Fregley wiped a tear after the 1980's health PSA video!!! Hilarious!

Jeff, this movie is a true classic!and this is coming from an adult fan that's a cartoonist!

I LOVE THE BOOK SERIES AND THE MOVIE! My friend and i were laughing our heads off when we saw the movie for like 35 minutes after it finished! I just read the entire online version! That was really fuuny too. I have read all the books and i have read the first book 30 TIMES! I know it seems like a lot but I cannot get enough of it!Thanks for your book!P.S. they really should make movies about ALL the books.P.S.S. PLEASE make a island on poptropica about diary of a wimpy kid!

Hey Jeff!I met your brother Scott today. Looks like I'll be teaching singing lessons at the music store he's opening up down the street.Really looking forward to it, especially since my kids are such huge fans of yours.

@yo: There won't be a book six, but there will be more Wimpy Kid. And it's probably not gonna be called "My Last Year". Where in the heck did you get that from. That's kinda a stupid title because PEOPLE FOLLOWING THE SERIES WOULDA KNOWN THAT!

That was so cool. I watched the movie with my friends and we loved it! It was so wonderful, the producers of the movie had really great ideas! I really enjoyed it, hope they make a sequel! If they do, I'd love to see it! -Selena Gomez